Basic Map Editing

Using the Selection Tool Cut, Copy, Paste, and Delete Undo and Redo Adding Objects

Modifying Objects Measuring Distances Snap Grid and Gravity Aligning Objects Map Properties AutoNAME

There are many different tools you can use to add objects to your map. Some features common to all object tools are:

Ø Click on the object button to start adding objects of that type, and the mouse cursor changes to reflect the new object. How you actually place the object depends on the number of points required to specify the object. For one point objects (text or icons) add it by clicking on the map. For two point objects (lines, ellipses, rectangles, or polygons) click, drag, and release. For N-point objects (curves, polylines, or polycurves), click once per point.

Ø Many objects come in two varieties: normal and fractal. Use normal objects to represent straight lines, arrows, rulers, and other geometric objects. Fractal objects have rough edges, and are used to represent natural boundaries like lakes, rivers, or coasts.

Ø When you add an object, its properties are set by the current toolbars for overlays, colors, style, fractal or icon settings.

Ø Points normally are placed where you click, except if you have one of the two types of snap active. Gravity snap makes a point gravitate to nearby existing points. Grid snap makes a point snap to the nearest grid point.

Ø You can group several objects together to make them easier to manipulate. A group acts like one object.

Ø Holding down Shift while drawing lines forces the line segment to the closest 45° angle; while drawing ellipses, rectangles, or polygons, Shift forces the shape to have equal width and height.

These four toolbars control adding objects to a map. Click on any button on these pictures for more information: